Dubai: The ICC today paid rich tributes to Sachin Tendulkar, who retired from international cricket today after playing his 200th Test match, with its chief executive Dave Richardson saying that "sporting geniuses like Sachin are rare phenomenons".
"He was an exceptional cricketer who earned the utmost respect of his peers, team-mates, opponents and fans all over the world through his talent, performances and fierce competitiveness," said Richardson, who played 10 Tests and 26 ODIs against Tendulkar between 1991 and 1998.
"Sporting geniuses like Sachin are rare phenomenons and we are privileged to have seen him in action. On behalf of the ICC and the entire cricketing family, I thank Sachin for his unprecedented services to our sport and we wish him well in the future," he said.
Tendulkar brought curtains down on his 24-year-long illustrious career in home ground at the Wankhede Stadium here after India thrashed the hapless West Indies team by an innings and 126 runs in the second cricket Test to clinch the series 2-0.
"His 664 internationals, 34,357 runs and 100 centuries over 24 years not only illustrate his determination and commitment to the game but also his mental and physical toughness which are the vital ingredients to reach the highest pedestal in any sport," Richardson said in a statement.
Richardson also highlighted some of Tendulkar's achievements during his glorious career.
"Sachin always put his team ahead of himself during his illustrious career, but he picked up a number of personal accolades which highlights his brilliance," the former South Africa wicketkeeper- batsman said.
"He was declared player of the tournament at the ICC Cricket World Cup 2003, won the Sir Garfield Sobers Trophy for ICC Cricketer of the Year in 2010, was the top-rated Test batsman for a total of 139 Tests (fourth-most behind Sir Garfield Sobers, Sir Vivian Richards and Brian Lara), was the number-one ranked ODI batsman for 112 matches or 354 days, played with 104 Test team-mates and faced 477 Test opponents," Richardson added.
